Guns and violence

May 15, 2018Letters to the Editor

There are times when individuals should not be allowed to own a gun. For example, we should consider restricting anyone convicted of domestic violence, defined as any pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain, maintain or have control over their partner’s power. Abuse is physical, sexual and emotionally challenging towards the victim. In this day and age, allowing individuals, male or female, to own a gun with this kind of conviction is not only dangerous but can be expensive.

I have been researching the bill, HB 501. I am encouraging people to write their elective officials to pass this bill. It not only benefits the victims and their families, but it affects first responders and other law-abiding citizens. If the bill is passed, it will tighten up the loopholes and would not allow individuals that have utilized a firearm in a domestic violence case from owning a gun. HB 501 forces individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes to relinquish their weapons within 24 hours to the authorities. That is instead of the 60 days that is in effect now. It also prohibits friends and family members from keeping those said guns for the convicted person. It levels the playing field and brings federal and state laws in line with each other.

The FBI estimates that passing this bill would cut retaliations by 25 percent. It could decrease medical/mental health costs for the victims by 20 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control tell us that domestic violence costs exceed $5.8 billion each year. That equates to $4,273 per abused individual. These costs, along with lost work days is enough to make us think twice about what rules are currently in place.